Bottled Water Drinkers Should Know What They're Consuming, Lawmaker Says

Bottled water companies would have to provide content information to consumers upon their request, under legislation introduced by Rep. Renee Ellmers.

The North Carolina Republican's bill would direct the FDA to circulate regulations that require bottled water manufacturers and distributors to annually prepare, and make available upon request, a bottled water quality report for each of their bottled water products. Some of the information the report would cover includes the type of water source (e.g., spring, artesian well, public water system, etc.), a brief description of the primary processing and treatment methods used by the bottler, and test results for the microbiological, physical, chemical and radiological quality of the product.

Ellmers, a former nurse, says the measure is necessary because, "Companies throughout the United States face increasing uncertainty due to a patchwork of laws that vary from state to state."

"This legislation will ensure that we have one, national, uniform standard for bottled water quality reports. It will also allow the public to obtain the information they need regarding the safety and quality of the bottled water they consume. This is an important step to providing these businesses with a less burdensome process, while also making consumers lives' easier."

Questionable Product

The bottled water legislation is a savvy political move for Ellmers. It aims to satisfy the concerns of a major business in her Fayetteville, N.C.-area district, Pure Water.

It's also a populist piece of legislation that can attract positive media attention. Ellmers in November will face Democratic nominee Clay Aiken, the former "American Idol" runner-up. She's favored to win in the GOP-leaning district. But with Congress's approval ratings at an all-time low this sort of bread-and-butter issue can potentially reap political benefits for Ellmers, as she runs for a third term.

Ellmers is also touching on an industry that from time to time attracts negative attention, with skeptics asking why it even exists. "When it comes to bottled water, North Americans are conned to the tune of $15 billion and 8 billion gallons annually, paying twice for a commodity we already own," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in June 2010.

"If you want to pinch pennies in these hard economic times, why pay up to 36 times more for bottled water that may or may not be just as good as your own tap water?"

I worked in the soft drink industry about 20 years ago and in some cases that's exactly what it is. However, it has been filtered and in most cases filtered to the extreme. There's always accepted levels of "contaminates" but it is my experience, and I've worked for a few different companies, these "contaminates" are nonexistant. That was twenty years ago. I'm sure they have come a long way since then with even better filtering. Most that actually come from springs, list them. In my opinion while it is nice to know, as far as a safety concern, it's a waste of time. The plastic bottles are far more potentially harmful than the contents.

@sosmpls I agree, it's just water. You are more or less paying for the plastic bottle. A smart person would just buy one and reuse it, or better yet, but an aluminum one that is darker and let's no light in and is easily cleanable.

Note: It says "The 'Republican' rep". Funny how just before an election, all sorts of concern by the Republican's seems to sprout up. So, it's not a problem to cut school lunch standards, but we've got to make sure the bottled water is OK? More Republican pretzel logic.

Of course, in North Carolina, there's no telling what companies like Duke Energy are dumping in the water. I wouldn't drink it either.

Remember. The companies selling this 'water' have to give the perception that they have done something to it to make it better than the ordinary water the 'common, and uninformed' folks drink. And having another regulation in place is a great way for the government to collect another fee. Looks to me like a Republican is trying to 'out Democrat' a Democrat. Must have been watching the Thad Cochran primary, and she's trying to go after some stray Democratic votes.:-).

There is nothing "questionable" about bottled water as Mr. Mark claims in this article.

The Bottled Water Quality Information Act (HR 4978) is a bi-partisan bill that will provide consumers with uniform information about the quality and safety of their bottled water products. All packaged food and beverage products, including bottled water, already have extensive labeling requirements. This legislation will codify the bottled water industry’s current additional efforts to ensure transparency and continue its commitment to have the highest quality standards.

And, there is no confusion about what's in a bottle of bottled water. Bottled water labels are already required to provide consumers with information such as the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor and a statement of identity that defines the type of bottled water product. And, virtually all bottled water products already include a telephone number or website address on the label for consumers to use if they wish to obtain additional information about the product.

Bottled water is comprehensively regulated by the FDA as a packaged food product. By federal law, the FDA regulations governing the safety and quality of bottled water must be at least as stringent as the EPA standards for tap water. And, in some very important cases like lead, coliform bacteria, and E. coli, bottled water regulations are more stringent.

More and more, consumers are choosing water, and bottled water, instead of less-healthy packaged drinks. That's not being conned into anything; that's making a healthy choice, and one that should be encouraged.

Instead of quoting from old anti-bottled water articles, it would be more helpful to provide Politix readers with useful information about bottled water and explaining what HR 4978 actually does.

Seriously- watch the documentary Tapped. They interview the FDA department in charge of regulating bottled water- it's one person. If water is bottled and sold all within the same state there is no regulation. If it is bottled and sold across state lines- the companies must SELF REPORT the tests on their water something like once or twice a year. Municipal water sources are constantly tested throughout the day at various source points. Bottled water is garbage- and there is NO WAY for you to know about it.

SmarterThanYou - I'll take you word on your bottled water claims, even though it appears that someone from the 'industry' posted claims about the 'safety'.(post #34)

I only drink it when no other water is available. BUT your point about SELF REPORTING IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH CONSIDERATION. Look at how well 'self reporting' has worked for the food industry, and for pipeline oil leaks. Oops..... Not so well.

SmarterThanYou - As someone who spent years in industrial safety, and is very familiar with companies 'cutting corners', I wouldn't be so quick to believe ANY SELF REPORTING. A good friend of mine lost his job, and a promotion, because he refused to disable water quality sensors when compiling test results on their waste water. I also completed tracking programs for a major airbag manufacturer. They instituted these programs out of the fear of lawsuits. Almost every company I've seen weighs the economic loss against the cost of 'fixing' the problem. Once the 'loss' becomes too great, they MAY address it. However, some don't even do it then. They simply declare bankruptcy, and go out of business. A good example of one recently is Freedom Industries.

Many advocates of bottled watter would say that the municipal water issue in Charleston, WV, is a great reason for bottled water. Maybe they're right. And where does a lot of bottled water start out? Hint: Your local municipal water supply.:-).

PNWest, the most impartial and bipartisan poster on Politix is happy to support this proposal which shows that occasionally republicans can do something good for the American people (even if she only supports it because her corporate owners told her to).

I don't know.....I want to know what IS in bottled water.....and why do most bottles specifically say "drinking water".....what else is it supposed to be? That is why one would buy the bottles of water right?

@Knightkore I think they calk it drinking water due to the "natural mineral enhancement" spin. Gallon water the same way, however I know I need distilled for my ironing, vaporizer/humidifier, and oxygen machines can only use that type. Still not sure about the spring water deal tho.

Dihydrogen Monoxide. Not enough regulations of food items. I don't buy bottled water, but the distilled water I buy is regulated because I always buy water made out of state. It has to cross state lines.

In the very near future I will be releasing Healthy Huffin' Brand fresh canned breathing air to the public. Just pop the top and breath in the healthy wholesome goodness! I already have the labels ready. The list of ingredients are:

06Jul14.....The buying and selling of ' bottled water ' is nothing more than a paranoid money game. The best drinking water still comes from the TAP....just as it did for your daddy and grand pappy.....BobLoblah

Amazing that Ellmers' all of a sudden has concern for her constituents. She hasn't had any concern the entire time she has been in Washington. Always voting for whatever the party wants her to even though she freely admits that it's going to be detrimental to the people who put her in office. It's really bad when Roche talks freely after the primary election and says she refused to debate him because she doesn't know the issues.